Determination of properties of Althaea officinalis L. (Marshmallow) fibres as a potential plant fibre in polymeric composite materials

The mechanical, thermal, chemical, crystallographic and morphological properties of althaea fibres, extracted from Althaea officinalis L., was examined for the first time in this study. A. officinalis L. was obtained from Mordoğan, Izmir (Turkey). After extraction process, lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose contents of althaea fibres were identified. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were utilized for surface functional groups of althaea fibres. By using X-ray diffraction analysis, CI value for althaea fibre is obtained to be 68%. The images of scanning electron microscopy were taken for observation of morphology of althaea fibres. The tensile modulus and tensile strength values of althaea fibre were obtained by single fibre tensile tests as 415.2 MPa and 65.4 GPa, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal degradation of the fibre begins at approximately 220 °C. Besides, by pulling out the althea fibre from the embedded high density polyethylene, interfacial shear strength value was determined to be 8.16 MPa. The results suggest that the althaea fibre can be used in composite applications as a natural reinforcement material.